Jilted Bride 32
Chapter
32
"Hey, why are you looking atlike that? Look, if you run into any problems here, just letknow, and I'll do
whatever | can to help you out," Brock said with a gentle look.
Ophelia still didn't say a word and just stared at him with that calm, knowing look. Her gaze alone seemed to
strip away his defenses layer by layer. Brock swallowed hard, hands on his hips and nervously licked his lips. He
finally asked, "Ophelia, what do you want?" His voice dropped, strained with desperation, the polite facade
completely gone as his brows knitted tightly together.
After a short silence, Brock exhaled, ran his fingers through his hair, and fidgeted with his glasses. "How about
this, I'll talk to the production team and make sure you get the runner-up spot. If it's money you need, I'll give
you whatever | can. You know we're both from the slums, and it hasn't been easy forto get where | am."
"Hasn't been easy for you?" Ophelia found his words funny. She hadn't even said anything, and he was already
this flustered. Brock opened his mouth to say something else, but someone from the crew was calling for him
outside. "Mr. Decker..." "I'm begging you, Ophelia, please don't let anyone know about my background," he
whispered. Coming from the slums was still a stigma for him, and if people found out about his past, all his
success could ccrashing down.
Ophelia neither agreed nor refused. Outside, the assistant kept calling his name. Brock slipped his glasses back
on and put on a polite smile as if nothing had happened. He then walked out, looking elegant as ever.
The designers and celebrities had all gathered in the waiting area. The awkward part was that Ophelia didn't
have a model standing beside her. Samantha, who had just managed to switch to a more well-known designer,
stood nearby and shot a disdainful glance in Ophelia's direction.
Samantha scoffed in her mind, 'Her? She's probably just here because she's got a pretty face and some
connections. She's a
with her.' cannon fodder for sure. Bet she'll be the first to go. Poor soul who pairs up
"Ophelia Spencer, right?" the director, Cameron Bishop, called her name, frowning as he looked at her file, which
was practically blank. He thought, 'No wonder even someone as minor as Samantha didn't want to partner with
her. Who picked her anyway? "Anyone willing to partner with her?" Cameron asked. If no one stepped up, they'd
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtjust have to replace her. Designers like her were easy to invite, but celebrities were not.
"Sir, hasn't everything already been decided?" Taylor chimed in, worried that they might somehow mess things
up and pull her away from Brock.
Everyone had their own thoughts, and the bigger-ncelebs were getting visibly impatient. Just then, a distinct
voice spoke up, "I'll team up with her." It was Sharon Campbell, the washed-up actress who had just been
bumped off by Samantha. Her voice had that nasal quality that made it instantly recognizable.
Her agent had only signed her up for this show to promote an upcoming movie-to make a quick appearance and
get sscreen time. Whether she got eliminated early or not didn't really matter.
'A washed-up actress and a no-ndesigner... Yeah, that's just what everyone expected,’ the crowd thought.
"They are basically written off as the cannon fodders of the show."
Sharon walked over to Ophelia. Neither of them knew each other, and when they tried to exchange a polite nod,
they awkwardly missed each other's gaze.
After confirming everything, the recording began with the celebrities being introduced one by one, followed by
their designers.
"Next, let's welcLora Smith. Lora Smith is twenty-nine years old, graduated from Yoskela School of Design,
and won
13:56 Sun, Nov 10 Chapter 32
the first prize in the Future Fashion Stylists..." The host rattled off the accolades for each designer stepping on
stage.
Every designer here had a sparkling resume: prestigious schools, international design contests, chief designers
for famous brands-even the two bickering earlier in the lounge. One had won a Young Designers Award, and the
other was an international fashion influencer. Then it was Ophelia's turn. The host glanced down at her blank cue
card and wanted to scream, but professionalism kept the smile plastered on her face as she continued, "Let's
welcthe final contestant, Ophelia Sinclair." And that was it. No intro, no credentials. After hearing eight
elaborate introductions, the audience was suddenly intrigued by this ninth designer who cwith nothing. It
made the other designers, who had been so full of themselves, snicker in disdain, but they couldn't help feeling a
bit wary. Finally, Brock's turn came, and the host practically lit up. "And now, we have Brock Decker. He's the first
student from Heloria to attend the Royal College of Design and the chief designer for the Fashion Ladies.
"His work was included in the 15 editions of Dellanex University textbooks. He has been invited to multiple
international fashion design competitions and is currently the vice president of the Heloria Designers
Association."
The host made sure to give Brock sextra tfor his speech. Amid the applause, his humble yet handsome
demeanor caught the attention of many female audiences. Brock took the microphone and delivered a polished,
gracious speech, full of praise for the contestants and the usual formalities. Next, each designer stepped forward
to draw lots and determine their partner for the competition. This was where the acting cin. When they
were backstage, Cameron instructed them to show their surprise to the camera. These reactions had to be big
and memorable. Sdesigners would act stunned to be paired with a high-profile celebrity, while scelebs
would light up with excitement at being matched with a famous designer.
When it was Ophelia's turn, she kept her expression neutral as usual. After drawing her lot, she glanced at
Sharon, and her smile grew just slightly.
"Cut! Ophelia, your reaction is way too bland. What's wrong? You're unhappy with your model?" Cameron
shouted to Ophelia, and his words seemed to stir up trouble for her.
"Nope, I'm very happy," she replied.
Cameron said, "Then show it, okay? Look a little more excited."
"Okay," Ophelia replied in a calm tone.
The cameras rolled again. This time, Ophelia looked at Sharon with a slightly wider smile after drawing her lot.
"Stop, stop it. That's basically the sas before. And don't zero in on Sharon right away. You need to scan the
room first, take in
and then settle on her, got it?" Cameron said. everyone,
"The other contestants looked at Ophelia with thinly veiled annoyance.
"Can we not waste there, please?"" one of them muttered."
"Yup," another one echoed.
"I'm a designer, not an actress," Ophelia shot back, leaving the whole room stunned. Even Cameron was
momentarily speechless. In all his years in the industry, he had never been called out by a young girl like this.
Sharon raised her eyebrows and was slightly amused. "The girl has got spunk,’ she thought. But Sharon was the
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmonly one who found Ophelia's response endearing. Everyone else looked at her like she'd lost her mind-who in
their right mind would
13:56 Sun, Nov 10 BOL.
Chapter 32
openly defy the director?
799
Just as Cameron was about to blow up, Brock stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and spoke, "Sir, | actually
think she's got a point. Not everyone put on a show of surprise, right? If every reaction is the same, it just gets
stale for the needs to audience. Authenticity is what really sells. Wouldn't you agree?"
Cameron shot Ophelia a glare before turning to Brock with an awkward laugh. "Yeah, you're right. She's got her
own style. Let's move on."
Brock glanced at Ophelia out of the corner of his eye with a smile, seemingly expecting sthanks from her.
However, Ophelia didn't give a damn to his help and ignored him.
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14:00 Sun, Nov 10 BOW.
Chapter 32
openly defy the director?
Just as Cameron was about to blow up, Brock stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and spoke, "Sir, | actually
think she's got a point. Not everyone needs to put on a show of surprise, right? If every reaction is the same, it
just gets stale for the audience. Authenticity is what really sells. Wouldn't you agree?"
Cameron shot Ophelia a glare before turning to Brock with an awkward laugh. "Yeah, you're right. She's got her
own style. Let's move on."
Brock glanced at Ophelia out of the corner of his eye with a smile, seemingly expecting sthanks from her.
However, Ophelia didn't give a damn to his help and ignored him.